Tadsuke Iijima and Rivka Golani perform ‘Duo Concertant' for violin and viola at the 2011 Fort Macleod International Festival.

Rivka Golani came to Fort Macleod to perform in a recital and left with the inspiration for a music festival.
One of the top five viola players in the world, Golani performed in a recital at the Empress Theatre and was asked by then-executive director Gerard Gibbs if she would come back.
“I will,” said Golani. “And I will bring my friends.”
Golani’s first visit to Fort Macleod resulted in the Windy Mountain Music Festival, which has since transformed into the Fort Macleod International Festival.
Fort Macleod has now established itself as a gathering place for world-renowned artists who specialize in chamber music.
The Fort Macleod International Festival in May has achieved its goal of becoming a place where the top international, regional and local musicians can gather to collaborate and perform for appreciative audiences.
The 2011 festival featured the world premiere of new music and performances in Fort Macleod, Lethbridge, Calgary and at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump.
The festival is designed to allow musicians, whose professional lives usually involve climbing on and off airplanes to perform popular music in single concerts, with a chance to try out challenging music and collaborate in an environment free of pressure.
For details about the 2012 line-up visit www.fortmacleodinternationalfestival.com.